Filmmaker Boots Riley brings I’m A Virgo to Prime Video, starring Emmy-winning actor Jharrel Jerome. The colourful sock wearing creative stands as creator, writer and executive producer for the project adding the eclectic series to his roster of projects which includes Lakeith Stanfield starring Sorry to Bother You. Set for a 23 June release, the series will be available in more than 240 countires and territories.
Film AlUla - the Royal Commission for AlUla’s film agency - has partnered with the UK’s Creative Media Skills Institute to deliver a 10-day film industry bootcamp in Saudi Arabia. Launching in March 2022, the scheme will prepare 25 local trainees from AlUla to follow careers in Production and Assistant Directing as well as the Art, Locations, Costume, Make-up and Hair departments. This training programme is led by award-winning film professionals and hosted in the stunning landscape of AlUla, home to the UNESCO World Heritage site Hegra.
The UK’s largest and most state-of-the-art Dailies department has been unveiled by Twickenham Film Studios (TFS). The new Dailies set-up is lead by: Stuart Bryce, head of picture; Tomasz Witkowski, director of engineering and technology; and Jack Watts, head of technology and standards. The group will bring together a world-class team of Dailies creatives, colour scientists, artists and technical operators, delivering the very best ‘tent-pole’ feature film and episodic work for major studios and streamers.
The Location Managers Guild International (LMGI) has revealed the winners for the 2021 edition of its annual awards event. Focusing on the theme ‘Celebrate the Where,’ the ceremony’s seven categories honoured the outstanding creative contributions of location professionals in film, television and commercials across the globe. It also applauded international film commissions that have demonstrated ‘above and beyond’ service during the production process.
English director David Yates will receive this year’s Eva Monley Award from the Location Managers Guild International. The filmmaker – who directed the last four Harry Potter films as well as the Fantastic Beasts franchise – is being celebrated for evidencing ‘above and beyond’ support of the work of location professionals. He will receive the prize at the 8th Annual LGMI Awards on Saturday 23 October, which is free to stream but requires registration.
Much of See-Saw Films’ new drama for the BBC was shot north of the Svalbard Archipelago, with cast and crew working entirely offshore with no access to internet or phones.
The British Film Institute's Official 2020 statistics provide a positive outlook for the industry. Despite a nearly six month pause in physical production, the total UK spend on High end TV and film is down just 21% on 2019. Nearly GBP1.19 out of the total GBP2.34 spend was recorded in the final quarter, signalling significant recovery and a resilience of the UK industry.
International production hubs are included on the list of quarantine exempt countries. From July 10, visitors and UK residents arriving in England from these countries will not have to self-isolate. Although the US is not included on the list, essential cast and crew have been exempted from quarantine in order to allow incoming productions based in the UK to get cameras rolling again.